Aug 30, 2012

*Note to readers, I don't use the term "ya'll" but so many of you southerners do that I think I may have picked it up....

Just wanted to say Happy -freaking- Thursday, or Friday Eve, shall we call it?! This week is definitely moving slower than a slug, and I have no idea why. Perhaps because we're all anticipating the Labor Day weekend ahead?!

I know I'm looking forward to the Bengals v. Colts preseason game tonight, and watching it from my couch. Well, some of it anyway. Let's be honest... by the 4th preseason game we are ALL just ready for the real games to begin!

I wanted to give one last shout-out about our Blogger Fantasy Football group we formed on ESPN's website. It's called the Gridiron Challenge and YOU need to join in :) You've got until next Wednesday, September 5th before the first game that night!

Check out my original post HERE for the details and password for our group. Let me answer a couple FAQs I've gotten regarding the group:

Are we having a draft? Nope! ESPN gives you $50 million to buy your players, and it's okay that multiple people might have the same players on their team at any given time.

Do I have the same team the entire year? Nope, again! You can swap out your players after each week of games. You'd want to do this depending on who their upcoming opponents are, injuries, bye week, etc! So check in on your team weekly :)

Are there prizes or what, Erin!? YES! There will be a small prize for the winner of week 1 to kick things off; a slightly larger prize after week 8 (halfway point) for the current leader, and the biggest prize at the end of the season for the overall winner. Think..... giftcards ;)

So seriously ladies, go sign up HERE and join the other 18 bloggers who already have!

Please spread the word: Tweet, Pin, Blog--- whatever you choose ;) If you have questions leave them here or email me!

Aug 28, 2012

I know, I know my life is just SO exciting that I had to break up my weekend into 2 separate posts ;) I turned into a good blogger sometime in the last few days and actually took a lot of pictures--- so we can't let those go to waste, AMIRIGHT?!

After our first day of staycation and baseball, we decided to spend the most of Saturday shopping at the great mall and surrounding stores. And you can't ever shop without satisfying that sweet tooth….

We enjoyed some serious shopping (Thank you J's bank account!), got some great new fall candles from Yankee Candle like this one, sipped some Starbucks frappe's and spent I don't even KNOW how long in Barnes and Nobles. It was the perfect relaxing afternoon. Just enjoying each other's company, people-watching and doing our infamous "bookstore-shuffle" ;)

After we tore up the mall we decided to visit Union Terminal in Cincinnati and see an IMAX movie. While we love Union Terminal and the Omnimax graphics never disappoint, I have to say I was annoyed at how "political" the movie showing was. We saw "To the Arctic" and I honestly felt like it was PSA on global warming. Regardless of your thoughts about the topic and what should be done/not done about it--- we felt lectured, instead of possibly educated and entertained. But enough about that! ;)

Union Terminal always provides for some great photo op's!

My hubby is FLYING ;)

Overall, it was a much needed, relaxing, go-at-our-own-pace kinda' weekend and SO needed. It was nice to get away from "real life" and just be together. Sometimes those types of days are too few and far between.

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As if that wasn't fun ENOUGH, Sunday our dear Kayla and Caleb came over so we could FINALLY congratulate them on their engagement in person!!

I got Kayla a cute "Bride" bag from target filled with some fun bridal magazine to flip through. Yes, yes I know we all have Pinterest, but there's something fun about getting your first bridal magazines and flipping through, sticking in post-it notes and letting your mind finally wander where you've wanted it to for so long ;)

Then, when Kayla said she had something for me I really was surprised. I hadn't expected anything like this!!!

I, of course, said YES and am so happy to be a part of their big day!! Kayla has felt like a sister to me for so long and I'm so happy we can officially call each other that now…. or at least sometime next Spring officially! Caleb also asked J to be his best man and I'm not gonna lie… I'm kinda excited to see him in a tux again ;)

I also immediately promised Kayla that I would wash my hair and not wear yoga pants to any wedding events ;) Love this little sweetheart so much!!!

Aug 27, 2012

I had SUCH a great weekend that I think it's going to take me 2 days to spill my guts about it :) However- Becky has been hosting some pretty awesome Show & Tell link-ups and I didn't want to miss out, either. I've had quite a few new readers jump on board (THANK YOU!) and so I thought I'd link-up and they can get the scoop ;)

Are you married? If so when did you get married, and tell us about your special day.

Yes, married officially 1 year and 3 months tomorrow ;) You can read ALL the wedding recaps here including stories about our crazy wedding coordinator, a 70-year-old DJ and my bouquet breaking.

How about the engagement?Tell us your story: You MUST go here and read about how J totally surprised me in the most perfect way. Yes. On an NFL football field.

Show us your wedding rings or an engagement photo.

Engagement photos done November, 2010.

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Now I wanted to share just the first little bit of our weekend. We decided a 'staycation' was much needed. So we booked a hotel room for 2 nights in a city about 35-40 minutes away and headed out right after work Friday night.

We took in a local frontier-league baseball game and had SO much fun.
Cheap fun, might I add!

Meeting the cute mascot!

And an awesome fireworks show after!!

With all their tickets under $12, much better prices on food/beverages, constant contests, giveaways and t-shirts thrown into the stands…. you really couldn't beat the experience! If you live anywhere near a frontier or minor league team, I highly suggest checking a game out!

Well, this post has officially gotten really, reallllllly long, especially for a Monday, so I'll save the rest of my recap for tomorrow! ;) What are your fave ways to have cheap fun?!

Aug 24, 2012

Dear Cousin Dillan,We love you and are praying for safe return from Afghanistan in a couple months.(J's cousin Dillan was in an accident yesterday; he is okay, had minor surgery, but some of his fellow soldiers were badly injured. Prayers are appreciated for all of them)

Dear Bengals, You guys kinda' looked awful last night.... but it's preseason and we have a lot of injuries. So get that crap together and get ready for September 10. Thanks.

Dear Passengers in other cars this morning, I'm totally fine that you see me rockin' out on a regular basis. In case you were wondering, today was a full-blown Katy Perry concert.

Dear Weekend, I am SOOOO excited for you! J and I have a fun, FUN weekend plan and I couldn't be more excited! I'm overdue for some hot dates with my man!

Dear Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law-to-be,GET YOUR BUTTS home from vacation. I would like to squeeze you both!

Dear healthy food, I am very bored with you, but the scale is giving great results so far. I'll try to keep being your friend more than Mt. Dew, Buffalo Chicken Dip and carbs in general some other stuff.

Dear Husband, You are incredible. Thanks for being my best friend, my encourager, my rock and my joy every single day. Love you!

Aug 23, 2012

Let's just get this outta' the way now. I AM NOT FASHIONABLE. Like, really REALLY not fashionable. I'm never posting pics of my latest outfit and I don't know how to accessorize. Most of my work clothes consist of black, gray and white. And then there are the orangepieces. I love me some orange, and obviously what better time to wear them but for a working game day?!

But it doesn't mean I don't WANT to be fashionable. I just can't do it. However, thanks to Polyvore and other fashion blogs I've found, I'm slowly getting ideas of how to build my wardrobe. What I really need is someone like Lori to just take me shopping and style me. The girl's outfits rock!!!

Anyway- usually at work I look like more like a 14-year-old girl who doesn't know how to be anything but awkward:

Also- I think I've hitting a new blogging milestone. I actually asked my hubby to take pictures of me "for the blog" and these were the results.

And Yes!- just got my hair cut, for those of you not on Instagram (is there such a thing?!) It had been 4-5 months since I had it done last, yikes!

Oh, and in case this post wasn't random enough, tomorrow is FRIDAY! My husband has a whole weekend planned of fun so I.AM.PUMPED. :) Please send any and all style suggestions in the form of an email or comment…. THANKS!

Aug 22, 2012

So I'm a little late to the game- obviously the was supposed to get posted on Monday. But you know what, Becky still has that link-up open so you bet I'm joining in ;) Plus I'm OBSESSED with houses. Like, weirdly obsessed. Like, as a child (I'm talking under the age of 9 here) I used to ask my mom to buy me home plan books whenever I saw them. I'd spend HOURS looking at blueprints. Crazy child!

We moved into our house in April 2011, and I really AM happy with it.... hubby, if you're reading this, I swear I mean it. I may gripe about a lot of things about it, but none of them are major things. It has been the perfect first house for us. It's just us two, so although I'd loooove to have a lot more space, it really isn't necessary just yet. But trust me, I've got a wish list going in my mind for that next house ;)

If you were searching for a home now, tell me what would be on your "MUST" list.

1. Big yard/not as close to the neighbors. I'd love to find that sweet spot of country, that isn't too far from the city.

2. Just bigger in general: A full basement (we have a crawspace in a tri-level), a large kitchen with lots of cabinet storage, and preferably 4 bedrooms (we have 3 little ones now). Oh, and MEGA-CLOSETS. Thanks ;)

Show me your favorite room in a home {either your home, or any home, i.e. kitchen}.

Dream kitchen & office (minus that wallpaper). I'd love a HUGE gourmet kitchen that was separate from the dining area and an office that invited me in to work and be creative :)

If you could have any room redone, tell me which one would it be and what would you like done?

I would probably say our kitchen. It's small, but definitely still could benefit from some upgrades. Refinish the wood floors, new granite counter tops, paint the cabinets (or get new ones!) and brand spankin' new appliances. Maybe some fun lighting to add interest to the small space. Not too much to ask, right?!

Aug 21, 2012

Today is definitely one of those days where I just am not feeling the creative juices flow. I haven't taken any pretty pictures lately and my brain is constantly in work-mode. J and I talked a long time last night about needing to be able to unwind better after a day at the office.

His job has been stressful lately with new training, a trip to San Antonio and an upcoming convention he's putting on. My job, though still fun, has me putting in ridiculous hours with the kickoff of football season. Not necessarily a bad thing- because I'm SO glad football season is here... but when I come home I can't get my mind off of work! What can I do?!

Totally me some days

﻿J and I both have writing projects we want to pursue. We already have books in the works, but they've been on the back burner lately with job craziness. I'm hoping after football OFFICIALLY starts, I can get back into a routine and find time to let go of the office and get back to crankin' out this book! It will be good stuff, I promise ;)

But, since we're talking about work-- I HAVE to remind you all that you've still got a couple of weeks to get your blogger fantasy football team in! Here's the post with all the details. It's seriously fun, and easy! There is no official draft, they just give you $$$ and you get to use it all up to make your team. So far there are 16 group members signed up and I hope we can get more.

Did I mention there will be prizes?

In the form of giftcards that we ALL want/love?! Target, Starbucks, Younameit...

Aug 19, 2012

I am SO happy for this beautiful couple. My brother-in-law, and his NOW fiance Kayla are engaged!!!!! They left for vacation with her family Friday morning and he popped the question on the beach Saturday night.

J and I couldn't be happier for you two!!! You are our best friends and Kayla, we already feel like you are our sister--- SO happy it's "official" now :) We are only a little bit mad at you for making us wait a WHOLE WEEK now before we get to hug and congratulate you in person ;) Looking forward to celebrating with you when you get home and for all the festivities that lie ahead! We love you!!!!

Aug 17, 2012

Dear Friday, You are FANTASTIC and I appreciate how quickly you got here this week. Let's make that a regular thing.

Dear Ringbearer and flowergirl, I cannot WAIT to see you tonight. I can't believe how old you two are getting!

Dear Hair, I know I've been neglecting you for MONTHS. There is officially a hair appointment on the calendar for next week. Thank goodness.

Dear Bengals, I know preseason doesn't "count" but you guys are looking good so far. Keep it up!

Dear Saturday, I am SO EXCITED BECAUSE WE HAVE ZERO PLANS AND ZERO OBLIGATIONS!!! That never happens so clearly, I am looking forward to a day with my husband.

Dear Hubby, You work SO hard and I'm always SO proud of you. I hope you know that ;)

Dear Bloggers, Have you signed up for our fantasy football group?! No draft parties, no trading, etc etc... just as simple as picking players and spending $50 million. Get all the details of how to sign up here!

Aug 16, 2012

It's true! I've been cleaning up my computer and organizing photo folders and could not BELIEVE how many pictures I'd taken via the photobooth.

Like the first one ever taken, on my 22nd birthday 3+ years ago. (Scary)

Or a first photobooth pic with my new bling!

And it's basically a right of passage if you come to my house,

you take photobooth pics with me.

Pretty pumped about being engaged ;)

What we like to call the blind-man stare.

Acting 4.

But turning 24!

Love all these people so much!!!

Being newlyweds :)

Merry Christmas, 2011

And a happy new year!

Our Crest White Strips look :D

I tried not to overload you all TOO MUCH, but it's seriously like looking at a yearbook flipping through the photobooth. Years worth of parties, holidays, celebrations and just random nights on there. I'm thinking of making a small Shutterfly book of all photobooth pics :)

Maybe soon I'll share some of the ridiculous videos that are also stored on there? ;)